u/Actioncarrot

Hey, looking for honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar.
I’m a final year Nigerian architecture student. My study permit lapsed at the end of my third year while my passport was being held by the Nigerian High Commission for about 3 months for “not having legible handwriting”..? There no way to reach their cell, no way to reach them through email and I was in a different city, having exams. My passport and study permit were set to expire at the same time so as it stood at the time, I was without status. I ended up overstaying by 3 months while I was l gathering documents for a TRP as TRP got refused. I voluntarily left Canada before the deadline.
I’m now reapplying for a study permit from outside Canada. My lawyer hasn’t closed the door but described a reapplication as “cautious and fact-dependent.”
One truth I will have to include in my letter of explanation is that I was dealing with unaddressed trauma from 8 years of molestation by my primary caregiver at the time. It resurfaced badly under academic pressure and genuinely affected my ability to stay on top of everything administratively. While I don’t express that to be a deciding factor by any means I’ll have my therapist’s letter attached along side my letter of explanation as context. Im also able to get a letter from my school directly notifying and requesting assistance on the passport delay and reapplication process from IRCC. It’s all well documented and I’ve been in constant contact with my school who have been great help as I am a student in good standing.
Has anyone included mental health or trauma documentation in their study permit application? Did it actually move the needle or did IRCC ignore it? And has anyone successfully reapplied after an overstay and voluntary departure especially as a Nigerian applicant?

Hey, looking for honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar.
I’m a final year Nigerian architecture student. My study permit lapsed at the end of my third year while my passport was being held by the Nigerian High Commission for about 3 months for “not having legible handwriting”..? There no way to reach their cell, no way to reach them through email and I was in a different city, having exams. My passport and study permit were set to expire at the same time so as it stood at the time, I was without status. I ended up overstaying by 3 months while I was l gathering documents for a TRP as TRP got refused. I voluntarily left Canada before the deadline.
I’m now reapplying for a study permit from outside Canada. My lawyer hasn’t closed the door but described a reapplication as “cautious and fact-dependent.”
One truth I will have to include in my letter of explanation is that I was dealing with unaddressed trauma from 8 years of molestation by my primary caregiver at the time. It resurfaced badly under academic pressure and genuinely affected my ability to stay on top of everything administratively. While I don’t express that to be a deciding factor by any means I’ll have my therapist’s letter attached along side my letter of explanation as context. Im also able to get a letter from my school directly notifying and requesting assistance on the passport delay and reapplication process from IRCC. It’s all well documented and I’ve been in constant contact with my school who have been great help as I am a student in good standing.
Has anyone included mental health or trauma documentation in their study permit application? Did it actually move the needle or did IRCC ignore it? And has anyone successfully reapplied after an overstay and voluntary departure especially as a Nigerian applicant?

Hey, looking for honest advice from anyone who’s been through something similar.
I’m a final year Nigerian architecture student. My study permit lapsed at the end of my third year while my passport was being held by the Nigerian High Commission for about 3 months for “not having legible handwriting”..? There no way to reach their cell, no way to reach them through email and I was in a different city, having exams. My passport and study permit were set to expire at the same time so as it stood at the time, I was without status. I ended up overstaying by 3 months while I was l gathering documents for a TRP as TRP got refused. I voluntarily left Canada before the deadline.
I’m now reapplying for a study permit from outside Canada. My lawyer hasn’t closed the door but described a reapplication as “cautious and fact-dependent.”
One truth I will have to include in my letter of explanation is that I was dealing with unaddressed trauma from 8 years of molestation by my primary caregiver at the time. It resurfaced badly under academic pressure and genuinely affected my ability to stay on top of everything administratively. While I don’t expect that to be a deciding factor by any means, I’ll have my therapist’s letter attached along side my letter of explanation as context. Im also able to get a letter from my school directly notifying and requesting assistance on the passport delay and reapplication process from IRCC. It’s all well documented and I’ve been in constant contact with my school who have been great help as I am a student in good standing.
Has anyone included mental health or trauma documentation in their study permit application? Did it actually move the needle or did IRCC ignore it? And has anyone successfully reapplied after an overstay and voluntary departure especially as a Nigerian applicant?